Check-rein attachment



(No Model.)

E. G. LATTA.

CHECK REIN ATTACHMENT.. y

Patented Aug. 9, 18,81.

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N. PETER; Pnnwmnpmpher, wasmngwn, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMMIT G. LATTA, OF FRIENDSHIP, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HARVEY I). BLAKESLEE, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

CHECK-REN ATTACHMENT.

f SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,517, dated August 9, 1881.

Application tiled October 28, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EMMIT G. LATTA, ot1 Friendship, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Check-Rein Attachments, otl which the following is a specitication, reference being had' to the accompanying drawings. Y

This invention relates more particularly to a device for rendering the cheekrein elastic or yielding, whereby, in case the horse stumbles or from any other cause there should be a sudden downward movement of the horses head, the mouth of the animal will be relieved by the elasticity of the check-rein.

Previous to my invention various forms of springs have been employed for this purpose, but have been found objectionable by reason of their weight or liability to break when a sudden strain is brought to bear upon the check-rein.

The object of my inven tion is to obviate these Y difficulties, and to provide a cheap and effective device that will accomplish the purpose desired; and it consists of a spring formed of one or more coils of spring-wire, and provided with loops to receive the ends of the checkreins and a leather tab or loop for the reception ot' the check-hook, as will be hereinafter described.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Figure 1 represen ts a plan view of my improved checkspring. Fig. 2 is a similar view, with the ends of the spring compressed. Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing the position of the spring when the horse turns his head to one side. Fig. 4. is a cross-section in line @a m, Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a cross-section in line y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a plan view, with the central coilina-de straight at one end. Fig. 7 is a crossscction in line z z, Fig. G. Figs. 8 and 9 show modifications ot' my improved cheek-spring.

b, and are formed into side loops, c, which receive the rear ends of the check-rein d.

e is a short leather strap secured to the center loops, b, and provided with an opening,f,

which receives the check'hook of the harness. The strap e, as shown in Figs. 1 and t, is composed ot' thin strips of leather looped around the outer central loops, b, of the spring, the ends of these leather strips being sewed or otherwise secured together, forming a strong strap. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the strap e may be made ot' a single piece of thick leather, which may be only partially tanned, to give it additional strength, and which is secured to the loops b by means of metallic clips g, which encircle the two outer central loops, b, of the spring, and which are secured to the strap by rivets.

The middle coil of the center loops, b, may be made straight at its rear end, so as to form a space between the two outercoils where they are secured to the clips, thus enabling the clips to be brought closer together and present a neater appearance. The coils or loops b are made free to slide or move sidewise in the clips, so that when the horse turnsits head to one side the pull on the check-rein will cause the spring to turn in the clips without chang ing the position ot' the strap c or distending the spring.

In the modification shown in Fig. Sthe ends ot the wire extend from the side loops, c, to the center, where they cross each other and are formed into a central loop, t', to which the strap is secured, and the central coil is twisted at right angles to the plane of the side loops.

In Fig. 9 I have shown myimproved spring composed of two separate springs, similar in form to the spring shown in Fig. l, with the exception of the side loops, c, the ends ot' the springs extending outward on each side ot' the loops, where they unite and are secured together by rivets,thus forming a single spring. This last form of spring is designed more especially to be used with:a single overdrawcheck, the check-rein being secured to the central coils, b', and the strap e to the coils b.

Vith in yimproved check-sprin g, if the horse should stumble, or from any cause there should be a sudden downward movement of the head, the mouth of the animal is relieved from the sudden jar which it `otherwise would be subjected to were there no yielding movement given to the check-reins.

My improved check-spring can be readily formed ot' springwire over a suitable mandrel, or it may be made ot' soft metal and tempered after it has received the desired form. It is simple in construction and durable7 and can be made at a small expense.

I claim as my invention- The cheek-rein attachment A, composed of spring-wire formed into coils b and side loops, c, and provided with the straps e, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A checkrein attachment composed ot' a coiled spring-wire and attaching-loops, and a strap adapted to be engaged with the checkhook and looped over the coil of the springwire, whereby the latter is enabled to turn on the strap without the strap turning on the hook when the horse movesits head sidewise, substantially as set forth.

3. A checlcrein attachment composed of a strap adapted to be engaged with the checkhook, and a coiled spring-wire attached to the strap and provided with loops for the attach ment of the check-rein, substantially as set forth.

EMMIT G. LATTA.

NVitnesses A. C. LATTA, C. E. BOLINGER. 

